Iranian Working Class

Until they become aware, they do not rebel, and until they rebel, they do not become aware. And if there is hope, it lies in the suffering (working class). (Adapted from George Orwell’s 1984 novel) 

As a dentist, I had volunteer missions to deprived areas. In addition, because of the backpack trips I made to villages and places around my country (as my favorite kind of traveling), I had the opportunity to be with different people and get a closer look at how people actually live. Through various experiments I acquired from these trips,  my achievement was that almost everyone has a decent personality unless proven otherwise. On the other hand, the world that George Orwell envisioned in his book was very similar to my society, making me very painful. I was Upset about how evil the authorities of society can be and their detrimental effects on the relationship between these decent people. I blame leaders for inducing people to fight for their basic needs.

I remember that the Haft Tappeh sugarcane workers’ sitdown strike made me suffer a lot. Suffering from the fact that hardworking people are fighting to bring home bread but still can not meet their most basic needs, and worse, no one hears their voice. And unfortunately, like all other protesters in this country, their words may become a memory over time. I wanted to keep their memory alive by painting this artwork.

In this artwork:

On the left side, The seed of the working class, which symbolizes consciousness, is still dormant, and the helpless ( ignorant) worker is now (and as always) looking at his master with a frightened look until he becomes aware of his rights!